Early rendering
Feb. 27, 2015 By Christian Murray
The $515,000 sculpture that is expected to go up on Jackson Avenue will be going before the Public Design Commission later this year for approval.
The sculpture, which was initially designed to be an 8 ½ feet high pink figure, is still being worked on and the changes are not likely to be revealed until closer to the time that it goes before the commission.
The artwork—called The Sunbather– will be permanently placed on the median at Jackson Ave and 43rd Avenue and will be paid for by taxpayers.
The initial rendering was criticized at Community Board 2’s December meeting, largely over its size and color.
“The proposed design for the ‘The Sunbather’ is still under development,” said Ryan Max, a spokesman for the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in an e-mail.
“The design presented to the community board last year was preliminary; a more detailed proposal…will be presented to the Public Design Commission later this year,” Max said. “When that presentation is scheduled, a notification will be sent to the community board in advance.”
Community Board 2 Chair Pat O’Brien said that he was unsure how the sculpture will change. However, he said, the city agency “got the message about our concern over its size, color and substance.”
He said that follow-up phone calls also took place after the meeting to make it clear. However, he said, the board’s concerns would unlikely change the artist’s overall vision.
He said the department assured him that it would keep the board in the loop.
“We want meaningful input…we are not asking for veto power,” O’Brien said.
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6 Comments
I find the piece insultingly non-inclusive. Everyone can see it’s a white guy.
“sculpture still being worked on”
Much like a tough steak in the digestive tract, it needs enough time to work its way out.
Obrien may not be looking for veto power, but it is pretty clear that the rest of us are. They should hold out 50% of the $515k to pay for damages to the area caused by traffic accidents.
$515,000 of taxpayer money could be put to far better use doing almost anything other than an art installation.
seriously. ANYTHING. Use it to subsidize the HPS housing! OR better yet, give it to the market rate rent payers as an abatement!
That thing is going to creat accidents in an already over congested area of LIC.
Since that median was installed the traffic over there is terrible. The median should be removed and anything that would cause distraction to drivers should not be allowed.